Court Advocacy

Safe Haven's Court Advocate offers survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking with a variety of services including accompaniment, support, help navigating the justice system, victim rights, and the court process. Court advocates are not able to provide legal advice. However, they can offer:

Assistance with filing for a protection order
Information on victims rights
Assistance with applying for crime victims compensation
Assistance with registering for VINElink victim notification system
Accompaniment to court hearings
Accompaniment to interviews with prosecutors and law enforcement
Assistance with filing a police report
Assistance with developing an individualized safety plan
Assistance with accessing community resources
Assistance with applying for legal aid programs
Facilitation of communication with law enforcement, attorneys, prosecutors, and other legal staff.

All court advocacy services are free and confidential.

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Building Your Case: How to Document Abuse

If you are in an abusive relationship and are in the process of taking (or deciding to take) legal action against your abusive partner, documentation of your partner’s abusive behaviors can be an important component of your case.

It’s worth noting that each state has different laws about what evidence and documentation can be used in court. Speaking with a legal advocate in your state might better prepare you for your unique situation (our advocates at the Hotline can help locate a legal advocate near you). According to WomensLaw, in most states evidence can include (but is not limited to) the following:

Verbal testimony from you or your witnesses

Medical reports of injuries from the abuse

Pictures (dated) of any injuries

Police reports of when you or a witness called the police

Household objects torn or broken by the abuser

Pictures of your household in disarray after a violent episode

Pictures of weapons used by the abuser against you

A personal diary or calendar in which you documented the abuse as it happened

If you’re not sure if making documentation of your abuse would be safe, always go with your gut. It’s very important to keep in mind that you are the expert on your situation, and what works for one person may not be a safe idea for another person.

If you have legal questions about your specific case, please consult an attorney. Safe Haven court advocates are not attorneys and can not provide legal advice.

Protection Orders

A protection order is a legal document intended to prohibit your partner from physically coming near you or harming or harassing you, your children, or other loved ones.

You can apply for a protective order at courthouses.

Protective orders may be able to put a stop to physical abuse but they depend on your partner’s adherence to the law and law enforcement’s willingness to enforce the protective order. Psychological abuse is still possible, and a protective order should never replace a safety plan.

Protections for Non-U.S. citizens

The Immigrant Legal Resource Center and WomensLaw.org offer information about your rights as an immigrant. Further information about resources available to non-U.S. citizens can be found here.

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) states that people without citizenship status who are experiencing domestic violence and are married to abusers who are U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents may qualify to self-petition for legal status. Learn more about USCIS guidelines concerning VAWA.

Victims of certain crimes including domestic abuse and trafficking may be eligible for specific visas based on certain eligibility requirements.

Legal actions to escape abuse can come with their own risks of immigration consequences depending on the findings of the judge who presides over your petition. A specialized immigration attorney should always be your first point of contact for immigration questions and concerns.

Other Legal Resources

WomensLaw.org has state-by-state information about laws including protective and restraining orders and child custody laws

Legal Services Corporation is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans. The Corporation currently provides funding to 134 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.

VINE allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Victims and other concerned citizens can also register to be notified by phone, email or TTY device.

National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women assists battered women charged with crimes and members of their defense teams such as defense attorneys, advocates, expert witnesses.

Ohio Attorney General's Office, Crime Victims Compensation may assist individuals and family members who are innocent victims of a violent crime with financial assistance.

Ask a volunteer legal services provider (attorneys who offer free legal services to low-income individuals) or a local advocacy group about actions against your partner for behaviors like criminal assault, aggravated assault, harassment, stalking, or interfering with child custody.

Legal Aid of Western Ohio: Non-profit regional law firms that provide high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity